The Remarks is a weekly publication of Saint Mark United Methodist Church, Atlanta, Georgia.
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Seasons of Love

Seasons of Love VI is a unique annual cabaret spectacular, delighting new and returning audience members alike. Directed by our own Mike Beecham and featuring many other members of our Saint Mark family, the cast and crew share their gifts with the audience as a labor of love, volunteering their time and talent so that all proceeds from will benefit the CHRIS Kids’ Rainbow Program, providing homes, academic assistance and other services to homeless and runaway youth as well as those youth aging out of the foster care system without the resources to make a successful transition to adulthood. Seasons of Love VI will be held Saturday, March 8, 8 pm at the Robert Ferst Center for the Arts at Georgia Tech. For tickets, call the Ferst Center box office, 404.894.9600. Don’t miss this amazing night of talent!

Click here for more information about Seasons of Love.
Click here for more information about CHRIS Kids Rainbow Program.

Worth Fighting For

by Pastor Jimmy Moor

Jane recently introduced me to a wonderful book by Peter Gomes. Gomes is the Chaplain at Harvard, a wonderful preacher, and a gay African American. The book, The Scandalous Gospel of Jesus: What’s So Good about the Good News, is very provocative and stimulating. Good quote everywhere, and he makes ample use of hymns old and new to illustrate his points. I am enjoying it immensely, and being regularly challenged by it.

In his chapter on the gospel and conflict, Gomes notes that peace is clearly the ideal of the gospel, but suggests that in the world we live in – a world whose values are at odds with the ways of God and Christ – there will be things that Christians will need to fight for if we are to be faithful followers of Christ. He quotes Paul to Timothy: “aim at righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith.” He also quotes Gandhi’s list of seven social sins that if not resisted could destroy people and countries. Here is Gandhi’s list:

• Politics without principle
• Wealth without work
• Commerce without morality
• Pleasure without conscience
• Education without character
• Science without humanity
• Worship without sacrifice

Gomes suggests that these sins are still prevalent and that we are compelled to fight for their opposites.

How do you see it? I think Gomes is on to something in reminding us that the way of Christ does not come without a struggle, and that we need to be ready for that fight. Getting ready may be part of what our Lenten journey is about.

Thanks for all you are and do. Jimmy

Remarks Announcements

PARKING UPDATE

Because of Saint Mark’s recent property acquisitions, our parking will be changing over the next few months. The Property Planning Committee is working as quickly as possible to complete the process required to demolish these three buildings on Juniper so that we can have a new dedicated parking lot. We will let you know of other changes in our parking possibilities as soon as we learn them. Watch for other updates and than you for your patience.

The parking lot at the corner of Juniper & Fifth Streets is now under new ownership and management. As of March 1, this lot will be pay-only, everyday, for all events. If you pay to park in this lot on Sunday mornings, notify Pastor Jimmy Moor so that the church can reimburse you. We do not want you to have to pay to park at Saint Mark!

Until demolition begins, additional church parking is now available next to the red brick house located at 768 Juniper Street. Enter this lot from Juniper Street and use the pedestrian gate to get to the church.

Free parking (with a Saint Mark Parking Sticker) will continue to be available in the parking lot beside the 805 Peachtree building for Saint Mark events.

Street parking along Peachtree and Fifth is always available on Sunday mornings, but not at other times.

Please remember that on Sunday’s the lot directly behind the church must be reserved on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights for the elderly, those who are disabled, and families with young children.

If you need a Parking Sticker, please see an usher on Sunday mornings or contact the church office, office@stmarkumc.org, 404.873.2636.

CALLED CHURCH CONFERENCE

There will be a Called Church Conference on Sunday, March 2, 12:45 pm, following the 11:15 worship service. The purpose of this Conference will be to grant an easement from Juniper Street to the back of the two houses on Fifth Street that adjoin our property and are not owed by us. This is necessary for us to move forward with plans to develop our new parking lot. A Church Conference means that all church members are eligible to participate and vote.

HOSPITALITY MINISTRY TRAINING EVENT

Interested in serving as an Usher, Greeter, Acolyte, Nametag Steward or Communion Server? We need you! Join us for a training event on Sunday, March 9 following the Family Fellowship Lunch to train volunteers for these ministries. For more details, contact Mandy Flemming, mflemming@stmarkumc.org, 404.873.2636 x13.

THE SAINT MARK GALA & DANCE

Saint Mark’s 6th annual dance, the 2008 Club M.A.R.K. Gala will be held on Saturday, March 1, 7:30 pm, at Lé Moulin Rouge at Paris on Ponce (716 Ponce de Leon Place NE, Atlanta 30306). Food will be provided by our own Keith Hand's Bridge Catering. Evelyn Mims will be our emcee for the evening and music will be provided by DJ Alexis Rodriguez.

You can purchase your tickets ($20 for hors d’oeuvres and soft drinks or $30 for hors d’oeuvres and adult beverages) in advance at church or buy them at the door. Tickets are on sale now. Click here to purchase your tickets online. Tickets can also be purchased at the Wednesday Fellowship Dinner in Wade Hall. Tickets purchased for the original February 9 Gala will certainly be accepted.

Click here for more information about the Gala. Join us for an evening of fun, fellowship, dining, and dancing with your church family! Don’t miss it!

LENTEN RESOURCES

Various resources including devotional materials and the labyrinth will be available throughout the season of Lent in room 204 in the Education building both on Sunday mornings and during the week. For more information, contact Mandy Flemming, mflemming@stmarkumc.org, 404.873.2636 x13, or Jackie Jenkins, jjenkins@stmarkimc.org, 404.873.2636 x24 in the church office.

Click here for a daily Lenten meditation focusing on peace. This meditation series was prepared as a part of the recent Lenten prayer vigil.

EASTER BRUNCH

Club MARK is sponsoring an Easter brunch on Easter Sunday, March 23 following the 11:15 Morning Worship service in Wade Hall.

• Adult cost - $15
• Children 6 to 12 - $8
• Children under 6 - free
• Family ticket price for (2 adults & 2 or more children) - $45

The meal will be provided by Keith Hand’s Bridge Catering.

• Fresh Fruits of the Season
• Assorted Pastries
• Individual Quiche and Chunky Home Potatoes
• Salmon with Capers
• Roasted Prime Rib and Crisp Bacon
• Grilled Vegetables
• Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
• Sugar Glazed Spiral Baked Ham
• Apple Pear Bread Pudding
• Assorted Mini Sweets
• Juice, Coffee, and Tea

Reservations must be made by March 17. Contact the church office for reservations. To make a reservation, contact the church office, office@stmarkumc.org, 404.873.2636 x50.

INVITATION FROM THE COUPLES CLASS

The Bible's Best (and Worst) Couples, presented by Mark McElroy. Join us for a fast, fun, lively three-week series (March 2, 9, and 16) discussing the relationships of the Bible's best - and worst! - couples. Each week, we'll meet two couples. Each week, we'll eavesdrop on their relationships. And each week, we'll take home insights we can use to improve our own relationships and grow closer to God. Though this is a series, lessons are designed to stand alone -- so you'll never feel left behind, even if you can attend one or two of the three sessions. If you're in a couple, used to be in a couple, or plan to be in a couple ... please come join us in the Couples' Class between services on Sunday mornings, March 2, 9, and 16, 10:10 am, in Room 206.

GEORGIA INTERFAITH POWER & LIGHT BOOK SIGNING

Join Georgia Interfaith Power and Light and Georgia Center for the Book as they host a free talk and book signing by Bill McKibben on Tuesday, March 11, 7 pm at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church (515 E Ponce de Leon Avenue, Decatur).

Bill McKibben is an American environmentalist and writer who frequently writes about global warming, alternative energy, and the risks associated with human genetic engineering. Beginning in the summer of 2006, he led the organization of Step It Up, the largest demonstrations against global warming in American history, in which many Georgia Interfaith Power and Light congregations participated. McKibben is active in the Methodist Church, and many of his writings reflect his concern with the environment as a spiritual and moral issue. His books include The End of Nature, Deep Economy, and Fight Global Warming Now.

Click here for more information or contact info@gipl.org, 404.588.9978.

Missions Opportunities & Ideas

HONDURAS MISSION 2008

Are you ready for an exciting, spiritual and multicultural experience? Do you like working with your hands doing light construction work, interacting with children during Vacation Bible School, or being a member of a medical/dental team? Get involved! Be a witness to a ministry that will change your life, serving God’s children in Honduras. Please attend our "Getting to Know Honduras" meeting on Sunday, March 9 after each worship service. We will be accepting $100 deposits from team members, completing travel and contact forms, and answering general questions. Stop by and become part of this exciting ministry! For more information or to reserve your spot, contact team leader Byron Pittman, bhpittman@aol.com, 404.441.6588.

GULF COAST MISSION

Anyone interested in participating in a mission trip to the Mississippi Gulf is invited to attend a meeting Sunday, March 2, 10 am in the chapel. Ten Saint Markers went in May 2007 and helped 3 different families. It was a rewarding trip. No specific dates have been scheduled for this year's trip yet. If you cannot attend the planning meeting but are interested in participating, contact Greg Brown, 404.869.9280.

BLESSED ARE THE FEET

Saint Mark is excited to announce a new ministry for our homeless friends. We will be providing foot care once a month for the members of the Saturday Morning Breakfast Club. Medical care will be provided by Shirley Ritchie, RN, a specialist in foot care. Volunteers are needed to soak the person's feet, conduct a foot-washing liturgy and prayer, and perhaps massage the feet after the person sees the nurse. This would require about 3 or 4 hours of your time. No experience is necessary. For more information, contact Mike Smith, 478.731.4957, smith_mu@mercer.edu.

Saint Mark's Breakfast Club volunteers serve a hot meal to 60 homeless persons every Saturday morning. We provide a unique setting for the homeless. Breakfast Club is a non-threatening environment where a small group can relax and be served with love and respect.

For more information about Missions at Saint Mark or if you have suggestions, contact Rev. Josh Noblitt, Deacon in Residence and Chair of Community Outreach & Missions, jnoblitt@stmarkumc.org, 404.739.5162, or Rev. Phillip Thomason, Minister of Outreach & Pastoral Care, pthomason@stmarkumc.org, 404.873.2636 x12.

Green Team Tip of the Week

Weighty Matters

Our ecosystem’s delicate balance means that your health and that of the environment are inextricably intertwined. As if you needed another reason to shed those extra pounds: Statistics from the University of Illinois show that our cars use a billion extra gallons of gas a year transporting heavier people. The additional aircraft fuel burned annually to account for overweight passengers amounts to 350 million gallons, according to the Centers for Disease Control—producing an extra 3.8 million tons of atmosphere-warming carbon dioxide.

To report a water restriction violation, call:

• City of Atlanta, 404.982.1414
• Fulton County, 770.640.3040
• Dekalb County, 770.270.6243
• Cobb County, 770.419.6278
• Gwinnett County, 678.376.7100

Click here for the Green Team's previous Tips of the Week.
Click here for more information about Saint Mark's Green Team.

Children's Corner

A Request to Grown Up’s with Children

We are pleased that so many of our children participate in the service of Holy Communion. To help teach our Christian tradition's "Table Manners" to our younger family members, we are asking for your help. If you want your child to participate in Communion this Sunday, please observe the following:

Pick up your child from IMPROMPTU!/Children's Church/Pre-School Nursery prior to the beginning of the Communion Service and allow enough time to get back to the Sanctuary before that point in the service when the Great Thanksgiving begins. If you arrive after Communion begins, the ushers will not be able to seat you and you will need to remain in the narthex until time to receive communion (at the ushers' direction). Children who are brought to the Communion service will remain in the sanctuary until the end of the service to avoid interruptions of people leaving the sanctuary a second time.

The Children's Council is working to plan for smoother transitions for our children for every Sunday, as well as on Communion Sundays; we will be sending details within the next few weeks. In the meantime, if you have any suggestions for how to improve worship opportunities for children, please contact Council Chair Kathy Fazenbaker or Children’s Minister Jackie Jenkins.

Here Comes Peter Cottontail

The Children’s Easter Egg Hunt is scheduled for Saturday, March 22, at McKoy Park in Decatur. We are asking Saint Mark members to donate candy and small toys to put inside the eggs. All candy must be individually packaged (no loose jelly beans, please!), no candy should be chocolate or contain any nut products, and toys must be small enough to fit inside a plastic egg (no “war” toys please). If you prefer to make a monetary donation please note Easter Egg hunt on your check.

We need all donations by Sunday, March 9. There will be donation boxes in the narthex, in Wade Hall, and in the children’s ministry area. For more information, contact Kathy Fazenbaker, Melissa McArthur, or Craig Pigg. Thank you for your help!

Click here for more information about the Children's Ministry,
or contact Jackie Jenkins, Children's Minister, 404.873.2636 x24.

Club M.A.R.K. - Making a Real Konnection

Saint Mark Gala

Saint Mark’s 6th annual dance, the 2008 Club M.A.R.K. Gala has been rescheduled and will be held on Saturday, March 1, 7:30 pm, at Lé Moulin Rouge at Paris on Ponce (716 Ponce de Leon Place NE, Atlanta 30306).

Click here for more information about the Gala. Join us for an evening of fun, fellowship, dining, and dancing with your church family! Don’t miss it!

Book Club

The Book Club meets on the first Thursday of each month at Jason’s Deli (located at the corner of Piedmont and 10th St) at 7 pm. The next Book Club will meet on Thursday, March 6 . All are invited to participate!

• March: Old School by Tobias Wolff
• April; Ecology of a Cracker Childhood by Janisse Ray; facilitator - Mary Abbott Waite
• May: Suite Française by Irène Némirovsky; facilitator - Laura McCrodden
• June: Book Lovers Trivia! The traditional Trivial Pursuit game geared for book lovers. We play teams, and it's always fun!

Click here for more information about the Club M.A.R.K. Book Club or contact Cheryl Thompson, cherylcrt@aol.com 404-918-9240.

Easter Brunch

Club MARK is sponsoring an Easter brunch on Easter Sunday, March 23 following the 11:15 Morning Worship service in Wade Hall. Adult cost - $15, Children 6 to 12 - $8, Children under 6 - free, Family ticket price for (2 adults & 2 or more children) - $45. The meal will be provided by Keith Hand’s Bridge Catering. Reservations must be made by March 17. Contact the church office for reservations. To make a reservation, contact the church office, office@stmarkumc.org, 404.873.2636 x50.

Club M.A.R.K. events are open to everyone - all are invited to participate!
Click here for more information about Club M.A.R.K.

Remarks Reports

Worship Attendance, February 24

• 8:45 am - 202; 11:15 am - 268; Total - 470

Morning Worship: Sunday, March 2

• 4th Sunday in Lent
• Communion Sunday
• Jimmy Moor to preach
• John 9:1-41

Wednesday Fellowship Dinner: Wade Hall, 6:15 pm

• February 27 - Compline Service
• March 5 - Giving Back: A Crafts Night to honor our newest members, and to remember those who have passed (Baptismal Gifts, Chrismons, etc.); Menu - Vegetable Soup, Salad Bar with Grilled Chicken and Tofu, Herbed and Buttered Yeast Rolls, Spiral Sliced Baked Ham, Shirley's Famous Loaded Baked Beans, Steamed Broccoli, and Assorted Desserts
• March 12 - Lenten Paintings by Bobby Strickland
• March 20 - Maundy Thursday (No WFD on the 19th)
• March 26 - Compline Service

Click here for more information about AND to make a reservation for a Wednesday Dinner program, call 404.873.2636 x50, or complete the registration form in the pews and place in the offering plate.

In Sympathy

Saint Mark expresses Christian sympathy to David Scott on the death of his father Gordon Scott on February 24 in Columbia, South Carolina, to Jim Calhoun on the death of his sister on February 21 in Mississippi, and to Renee Kazanecki on the death of her grandfather Bartola Natoli on February 18 in Brooklyn, New York.

Gift Acknowledgements

The following individuals gave gifts to Saint Mark in memory of Frances Cox: H. Burton Trimble, Elizabeth Van Houten (on behalf of the Wednesday Morning Study Club), Merle McWhirter, and Alice Felton. Ken Martin gave a gift in memory of Judith Richter.

Financial Report

Year-to-Date Operating Budget through February 22, 2008:
Income: $ 142,926
Expenses: $ 176,822
Surplus/Deficit: $ 33,896

Click here to make a contribution securely online.
Click here to make your make your 2008 Operating Budget Pledge online.
Click here to make your make your Capital Campaign Pledge online.

Congregational Care

Coming up at Saint Mark

Click here to view the February 2008 calendar.

Links to www.stmarkumc.org

CONTACT US!

Please submit all announcements for the Remarks to Christia Holloway, Remarks Editor, no later than the Friday prior to the week that the information should appear.

Saint Mark United Methodist Church

781 Peachtree Street NE
Atlanta GA 30308-1205
Phone: 404.873.2636
After hours emergency: 888.334.9490
Prayer line: 404.873.2636 x31 or prayer@stmarkumc.org
Fax: 404.873.2639
E-mail: office@stmarkumc.org
Web: www.stmarkumc.org

STAFF DIRECTORY

Rev. Jimmy Moor, Senior Pastor
  jmoor@stmarkumc.org, telephone extension 11

Rev. Phillip Thomason, Associate Minister of Outreach & Pastoral Care
  pthomason@stmarkumc.org, extension 12

Rev. Mandy S. Flemming, Associate Minister of Christian Education & Spiritual Formation
  mflemming@stmarkumc.org, extension 13

Rev. Joshua M. Noblitt, Deacon in Residence
  jnoblitt@stmarkumc.org, 404.739.5162

Jane Burke, Minister of Fine Arts
  jburke@stmarkumc.org, extension 15

Jackie Jenkins, Children's Minister
  jjenkins@stmarkumc.org, extension 24

Boyd Darsey, Staff Assistant
  bdarsey@stmarkumc.org, extension 10

Deana Hilton, Business Administrator
  dhilton@stmarkumc.org, extension 14

Christia Holloway, Assistant to Rev. Moor
  cholloway@stmarkumc.org, extension 16

John Richardson, Associate Director of Fine Arts & Organist
  jrichardson@stmarkumc.org, extension 22

Amy Holloway, Fine Arts Assistant
  extension 22

Kathi Urban, Fine Arts Assistant
  kurban289@comcast.net, extension 22